Neonatal Tetanus At The Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital: A 5 Year Retrospective Study

Background : Neonatal tetanus (NNT) though preventable, remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Nigeria.Objective: A study was carried out in the Paediatrics unit of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Bayelsa State, Nigeria to highlight the burden of NNT in the state and proffer solutions which may be useful in its eradication.Methodology: Over a 5 year period (from May 2007 to April 2012), all cases of NNT admitted into the Paediatrics unit of the NDUTH were retrospectively studied.Results: A total of 4780 children were admitted during the study period. Neonatal tetanus accounted for 40 (0.84%) of these admissions, with a male to female ratio of 1:2, and a mean age of 8.3 days. Thirty four (77.3%) of the mothers had no antenatal care and delivered outside health facilities. Razor blade was used to cut the umbilical cord in 37.5% of the cases and hair thread was used to tie the cord in 15.0%. Seventeen (42.5%) of the mothers had no formal education. Fifteen of the 40 patients died, giving a case fatality rate of 37.5%. The case fatality rate for males (46.2%) was higher than that for females (33.3%). NNT accounted for 3.5% of all Paediatric deaths and 9.0% of neonatal deaths. Conclusion: NNT is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this environment. Efforts aimed at eradication of this social scourge should be intensified and more efforts should be geared towards improving the anti-tetanus vaccine coverage rate of all women even before they get to child bearing age.